Building Bridges: Renowned Kashmiri musicians, artists to be brought in the spotlight
Move over Coke Studio, Kashmir has its own version now: The Koshur Studio! Traditional Kashmiri music, fused with western instruments, will revive the forgotten art and culture scene from the Valley, as artists of yore get ready to line up at its town hall.
From roping in talents old and young, to releasing its own YouTube channel, Koshur Studio is trying to bridge the generation gap.
Sample this: Prominent journalist Nazir Ganai has always had a penchant for music. Even while pursuing and completing a Masters degree in Mass Communication and Journalism, Nazir didn't leave music, and continued to play different instruments, including the rabab. So when Kashur Studio was being conceptualised, he was among the first artistes to sign up. And not only did he make his debut by singing a traditional song, he also played the rabab for the number!
"After the song was released on YouTube, I received a call from a senior journalist. He siad it was the first time he was sharing something on his Facebook wall," Nazir said.
Kashmir, once the abode of a rich cultural heritage, has produced several great singers, writers, lyricists, painters, artistes and connoisseurs. Since the last 30 years, however, this has taken a big hit, with people, particularly of the new generation, seemingly oblivious to its moorings.
"When an educated senior journalist like Nazir plays the rabab, it sends out a positive message. What used to happen earlier is that people who played the rabab were looked down upon. We are trying to break this myth," said Prof. Muzaffar Ahmad, noted composer and founding member of Kashur Studio.
And it's not just music that Kashur Studio wants to celebrate; it also encompasses a whole gamut of Kashmiri art. "Talented artistes from Kashmir were once household names. Their serials on Doordarshan were all the rage. But the new generation hardly has any idea about them. We propose to call all these artistes of yore, and make them face live crowds in a hall. They can share their experiences, which can help revive this culture," said Muzaffar.
For Nazir, the musical innings has only just begun, and there is still a long way to go. "Someone from outside the country saw my song on YouTube, and asked me to join them. We want to have collaborations with artistes from the other side of Kashmir too. We want to revive culture as much as possible," he said.
‘Not Just Music’
It’s not just music that Kashur Studio wants to celebrate; it also encompasses a whole gamut of Kashmiri art. “Talented artistes from Kashmir were once household names. Their serials on Doordarshan were all the rage. But the new generation hardly has any idea about them,” said Prof Muzaffar Ahmad
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Koshur Studio")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}